Oliver Fredrick Clarke

THE GLEANER, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | D4 “H E PURSUED his entrepreneurial ventures with diligence and the consistent pursuit of excellence. And throughout his life journey, he maintained a healthy sense of honour. May God bless surround his family in their time of bereavement,” said Audley Shaw in tribute. Sandrea Falconer served as information minister and interfaced with Oliver Clarke at the height of the merger of The Gleaner Company with Radio Jamaica. The entity is now the RJRGLEANER Communications Group. “Jamaica has lost a great son who had a transformational impact on media and business over many decades. But, the Honourable Oliver Frederick Clarke was best known for his influence on the media industry. He was a pioneer and a giant who expanded The Gleaner into a regional powerhouse, paved the way for and influenced the careers and success of many,” said Falconer in tribute. Continuing, she said: “Oliver had a tough exterior, but beneath that was a dry sense of humour, a fondness for teasing and playful mischief. I enjoyed my many conversations with Oliver and will always appreciate his profound love for Jamaica and his efforts to influence positive change.” Falconer, who was minister during the merger, said no one could ever think of The Gleaner and not remember Oliver Clarke. “There are very few people in Jamaica whose aura and influence on public policy were as big as Oliver’s. His opinion was sought by many leaders as they navigated difficult periods. Jamaica has lost a great son, the media has lost an irreplaceable giant,” she said. Clarke succumbed to cancer. He was 75 years old. ERICA VIRTUE Senior Gleaner Writer erica.virtue@gleanerjm.com Clarke remembered as xceptional citizen – Shaw, Falconer E THE PRIVATE Sec tor Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is profoundly saddened at the news of the passing of the Honourable Oliver F. Clarke, OJ, JP. Mr Clarke was a magnanimous pr i va t e s e c t o r leader and a true Jamaican patriot. He was fearless, yet remained humble and affable, endearing many from all walks of life with his wit and sense of humour. He has been a powerful influence in the shaping of Jamaica’s modern history. His legacy will be inextricably linked to his unrelenting pursuit of freedom of the press locally and internationally, as well as his leadership and development of two Jamaican institutions, the JN Group and RJRGLEANER Communications Group. His visionary and astute leadership extended to numerous diverse private-sector entities, including the PSOJ, where he served as president from 2001-2002. He was honoured by the organisation in 1996 with his induction into the Private Sector Hall of Fame. Our hearts go out in sympathy to his family, friends and business associates who feel the pain of his loss. He will be dearly missed. A owerful influence in shaping modern Jamaica OLIVER CLARKE was probably the prime influence that changed my life’s course and brought me to Jamaica. I can recall when I first came to the island in May 2003 to investigate a police fatal shooting of four people in Crawle, Clarendon, Oliver was a member of the Police Service Commission and played a crucial role in ensuring that my team of detectives from London was looked after and receiving the cooperation and facilities needed during the enquiry. From our first meeting I learnt that although always unassuming in nature, he was extremely smart and incisive. In 2004, the Honourable Dr Peter Phillips, then minister of national security, and others decided to engage senior police officers from abroad to serve with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). It was Oliver Clarke who discreetly persuaded the private sector of Jamaica to give the project their financial support. My appointment as deputy commissioner of police was the first appointment, followed by the engagement of four assistant commissioners, all of whom had served as senior police officers in the United Kingdom. I can recall the challenge I faced in trying to engage with my JCF colleagues and at the same time win the trust and confidence of Oliver: Always nassuming in nature U Assistant Commissioner GlenmoreHinds (second left), Commissioner Lucius Thomas (centre) andDeputy Commissioner Mark Shields (second right) have a moment with Governor General Professor Kenneth Hall (left) and Oliver Clarke, managing director and chairman of The Gleaner Company, at The Gleaner Honour Awards in 2006. FILE PLEASE SEE SHIELDS, D6